Here’s a rundown of the seven tools I use daily, so you know what to look for, if you break into my couch-side office. Or just in case you’re looking to add a new block-ditching tool to your writing life.

1. Sticky Notes

Every night, before I crash on the couch with Malbec and Netflix, I transfer 3 to 5 items from my 2,000 mile long to-do list to this manageable three-by-three inch square.

By tapping my optimism for tomorrow’s possibilities each night, I can choose crucial “will-do” writing tasks with confidence. And since I align it with a Ditch The Block game, I complete this list at least 90% of the time.

2. Index Cards

I keep a short stack of these next to my laptop, so I can jot down any random thoughts and research items that pop in my head, while penning early drafts.

Blocks Ditched: distractions & lack of focus

Without these cards, I’m easily lured down the rabbit hole, which leads to exploring topics that have nothing to do with my current project.

Or worse, I find myself asking Siri things like, “Can you make a crane out of an index card?” Once my phone lands in my hands, session’s over. Email, social media and Google searches gobble up my precious writing time.

With index cards by my side, I jot down a random thought and turn back to my early draft without skipping a beat.

5. Apple’s Notes App

I use this app to free write first drafts, create quick links to research files that live on my computer’s hard drive, AND write on the go. Holy cow! This might be the Swiss Army Knife of the writing world.

Blocks Ditched: fear and disorganization

Nothing causes all thoughts to flee from my head like creating a new doc in a traditional writing app. Probably because it unlocks the fears and perfectionism that haunted me in the past.

Working in Notes feels like penning a note or email to a close friend. I’m relaxed. That and I feel organized. Huh?

Yep, because I embed links to reference material, which I can access in a nano-second. No more digging through my hard drive or piles of paper on my desk during my drafting sessions.

Oh, and…

Do your best ideas and solutions to writing problems reveal themselves while you’re away from the office? Mine, too!

Since Notes on my laptop, sync to my iPhone, I can weave ideas into a note, while commuting or running errands.

Hey Windows and Android users. Does this remind you of an equivalent you use? Please, share it with your fellow Write 50 crew mates. Your generosity can score you a Ditch The Block coaching session.

7. LibreOffice

This has been my go-to word-smithing tool since I broke up with Microsoft Word in 2014. I’m so smitten with this free Office alternative, I’d pay a handsome fee to keep our union in tact, until death do us part.

Block Ditched: Frustration

If a quirky bug exists in MS Office, it crawls all over my writing session. Why Microsoft? Why do you hate me? It couldn’t be because I’m an Apple fan-girl who will never switch, can it? If so, whatever!

Guess what? I can output LibreOffice documents to the .docx format. And a client never needs to know. Freedom from quirky bugs rocks!

Fun Alternative: architecture. You can draft new plans for your living space in LibreOffice Draw.

With that, did you find a tool to steal? If so, adapt it to make it your own. That way I won’t recognize it and take it back.

Also, I double-dog dare you to share your favorite tool with the Write 50 crew. Yep, we might steal it, but at least you’ll be left with a chance to win a free Ditch The Block coaching session.

Hey there. I built Write 50 to help you start, not quit, and finish writing projects. And I double-dog dare you to ditch writer's block with a game or DTB jam session;-) You've got this, kid! ~Coach Marianne